During the Spring 2025 semester, the Health Policy class taught by Aaron Blight, Ed.D., assistant professor of public health, traveled to the nation’s capital to experience firsthand how health policy is established at the highest levels of U.S. government.
Dr. Blight and eight students – Emma Johnson ’26, Lauren Cruz ’26, Bailee Martin-Irving ’25, Tyrone Garcia ’27, Taylor Reynolds ’25, Kathy Rodriguez ’27, Leanna Myers ’25 and Aurora Padilla Jimenez ’26 – visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in April and watched as members of the U.S. House of Representatives debated the issue of tariffs on the House floor. Additionally, students tour the Capitol and walk through the tunnels located beneath the building, and attended a courtroom lecture at the Supreme Court Building.
Johnson described the experience as “memorable and educationally inspiring,” adding that she was “constantly fascinated by everything we encountered” on the trip. Witnessing members of the House of Representatives engage in debate and gaining a perspective of the “scope of the precise and busy lifestyle within the government” stood out most from the experience, Johnson added.
“Throughout our Health Policy class, Dr. Blight has been teaching us more in-depth about government and legislation, but having the experience of watching an active debate and being able to ask Dr. Blight questions helped me gain a better understanding of our government’s process and the importance of each step,” Johnson said.
Additionally, Johnson lauded Blight’s ability to provide a valuable experiential learning opportunity that expands upon the classroom experience.
“I am not sure it would have been the same experience without Dr. Blight,” Johnson said. “His personal experiences, incredible intelligence – especially concerning government and policies – and likable personality made the trip unique, educational and inspiring. Dr. Blight had several connections that got us access to tours and offices. He was dedicated and truly wanted us to get the most and best out of this experience, and I can confidently say we did because of Dr. Blight.”
